Chickasaw Nation

Customer Success Story: Chickasaw Nation

Public Sector | Custom Language Revitalization

Preserving an endangered language to keep an ancient heritage alive

A tribe with a vibrant culture Headquartered in Ada, Oklahoma, the Chickasaw Nation is the 12th largest federally recognized Indian tribe in the United States. The Nation has more than 60,000 citizens across the globe who celebrate their vibrant culture and “It is essential to revitalize our are dedicated to the preservation of their community. For centuries, the Chickasaw language and preserve language of the Chickasaw Nation was Chikashshanompa’, a Muskogean it for future generations, because language that was not formally written until the 20th century. The Nation still so much of our culture is bound recognizes its native language as a critical component of their culture and history. However, language loss has occurred over time due to forced removal in the knowledge of our language. of the Chickasaw people from their Homelands in the 1830s – 1850s, the We believe the collaboration proclamation of private and federal Indian boarding schools, and the between our fluent speakers predominance of English in daily life. and Rosetta Stone has been a significant step toward ensuring A language at risk of extinction As of the early 2000s, the Chickasaw Nation had roughly 120 fluent speakers our language is documented of their native language still living—the majority of whom were over the age of and accessible for future 55. Passionate about preserving their language and heritage, the Chickasaws generations. This relationship felt an obligation to care for their language by speaking and teaching it to their with Rosetta Stone offers an youth. However, they worried about their ability to pass along the language to excellent opportunity for future generations, given its endangered state. In an effort to revive their meaningful growth in our language and increase the number of fluent speakers, the Chickasaw Nation began offering language classes in the 1990s and established a language language programs.” revitalization program in 2007 that included a Chickasaw language master- apprentice program. This was the first step toward developing a comprehensive Bill Anoatubby, program to save their language. Governor, Chickasaw Nation Finding a partner to create a custom language program As part of their revitalization initiative, the Chickasaw Nation sought to create an easily accessible, customized language program to revive the Chickasaw language and bring it to younger generations. They found that partner in Rosetta Stone, and in October 2015, the governor of the Chickasaw Nation, Bill Anoatubby, announced a three-year plan to develop a digital language learning program with custom content to help meet their language objectives.

RosettaStone.com/Public Sector | (800) 811-2755 Chickasaw–anywhwere, any time Rosetta Stone® Chickasaw learners can access the program on their home computers, smart phones, or tablets. Learners work at their own pace through lessons that include video, audio, and imagery, and pick up conversational Chickasaw phrases they can use in everyday life. The program also offers a mobile app that allows users to enjoy learning the language virtually anywhere at any time. Connecting generations and Chickasaw citizens across the globe Before taking advantage of technology to create a digital language program, many tribal citizens had never heard the Chickasaw language spoken. With plentiful language lessons now readily available, youth are better able About the Chickasaw Nation to connect with their elders, even if just through simple phrases like Chokma – About Amgen meaning “hello”– or Chinchokma–meaning “How are you?” The Chickasaw language program includes renowned best-in-class TruAccent ® speech With more than 60,000 citizens, the recognition technology, which helps users learn to speak in their new language Chickasaw Nation is the 12th largest accurately and confidently from the first lesson. Additionally, many tribal federally recognized Indian tribe in the citizens had previously only experienced interactions with Chickasaw natives United States. The Chickasaw Nation exclusive to their immediate area. Today, citizens are using their newly has an annual economic impact of more acquired language skills to connect with fellow tribal members across the than $2.4 billion in Oklahoma. The tribe globe in a virtual setting, with small groups in organized Google Hangout has more than 13,000 employees. sessions conversing in their native tongue. A democratic republic with executive, legislative, and judicial departments,

Inspiring other tribes the tribe’s jurisdictional territory includes The Chickasaw Nation is not alone in facing the extinction of their native all or part of 13 counties in south-central language. Recognizing that other tribes are at a similar risk for language loss Oklahoma. More more information, visit: (Less than 20 languages spoken by U.S. tribes are projected to exist in the next 100 years.), the Nation hopes others will invest in creating similar custom www.chickasaw.net language programs for their citizens to preserve these rich legacies.

About Rosetta Stone “I’ve been studying the Chickasaw language for more than a year, and the Rosetta Stone program has helped me achieve my goal of learning my native tongue. I am 59 years old and did not know Rosetta Stone is a global leader in a word of Chickasaw until I started studying using Rosetta Stone. technology-driven language and learning Having already completed levels 1 and 2, I look forward to solutions for individuals, classrooms, and entire organizations. expanding my knowledge of the Chickasaw language with new lessons soon to be released!” Our scalable, interactive solutions have David Wolfe, been used by over 12,000 businesses, Rosetta Stone Chickasaw User 9,000 public sector organizations, and 22,000 education institutions worldwide, and by millions of learners “Tribal nations may have cultural similarities, but our languages are in over 150 countries. what distinguish us from one another. The Chickasaw language is a gift from Aba’ Bínni’li’ (God) that we are obligated to perpetuate for our children, grandchildren, and all our descendants. We hope other tribal nations will follow suit and keep their own unique languages living and active for future generations.” Lokosh, (Joshua D. Hinson)

©2018 Rosetta Stone Ltd. All rights reserved. Rosetta Stone and related trademarks and logos used herein are the property of Rosetta Stone Ltd. and used and/or registered in the U.S. and other countries. PS-Chickasaw-CS-1806